No question, there's a lot on the Jaguars' plate in the next week. But as they try to balance continued shopping in free agency with signing their own players, I'd be surprised if either contract issues with quarterback Blaine Gabbert or franchise tight end Marcedes Lewis linger much past this weekend.

Given the smaller dollar amounts for first-round draft picks under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, there's no reason for Gabbert or his agent, Tom Condon (despite his history with Jaguar quarterbacks), to let negotiations drag into any significant holdout.

The circumstances for Gabbert, the No. 10 overall pick, is much different than back in 2003 when Leftwich (No. 7 pick) ended up holding out for 17 days, with Condon as his agent. Not only has Gabbert not had the benefit of prep time of OTAs or mini-camp due to the NFL owners' lockout, but the new CBA doesn't give first-round draft picks as much money to quibble over and prolong negotiations.

Jaguars' owner Wayne Weaver told the Times-Union today, in rather matter-of-fact fashion, that he expects Gabbert to sign his contract in the next couple days. Already, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed their first-round pick, defensive end Adrian Clayborn (No. 20 overall), so that's a pretty good indication that others will fall in line quickly.

As for Lewis, who isn't expected to show up for training camp until he gets a long-term contract, it's hard to imagine the Jaguars won't get something done fairly soon. They have way too much salary cap room to not take of someone who has legitimately blossomed into one of their top-five players.

Now that doesn't mean general manager Gene Smith should make Lewis the highest-paid tight end in the league. But the Jaguars' history has been consistent in offering long-term deals to ascending core players whose contracts are close to expiring. The Jaguars don't like to slap franchise tags on players unless absolutely necessary, and it's doubtful they'll allow Lewis to remain in that limbo that players hate.

With the players going in full pads for the first time Sunday night, my gut instinct is the Jaguars will do everything within reasonable contract limits to have Lewis signed to a long-term deal by then. Now if he or his agent are asking for way too much, then that's a different ballgame.

The bottom line is the Jaguars don't want Gabbert or Lewis losing any more valuable time than the lockout has already forced them to. For that reason, as long as the Jaguars are making fair offers, my guess is they'll be in camp sooner rather than later.

Lewis should be there. He was franchised. He said he doesn't want to play under the tag. Too bad. They need to concentrate on Gabbert and others. Not much time to get to get this ball rolling. GO JAGS !--------I smell playoffs